Pumping system



B. S. AIKMAN.

4 PUMPING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27. I917. RENEWED APR 15, 1921.

Patentpdluly 11.9, 1921! QOQB 1m) 7 B 51 flihmm Kill nearest s. marten, or MHJWAUKEE, wrscoivsm, ASSIGNOR 'ro narrower. can a c (EQMEANY, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPDRATTON 0E WIS- EUMJPHQ'G- SYSTEM.

Specification oi Letters Patent. Paybgmtmdl Jul 19 192p llpplication filed duly 2?, 1917, Serial No. 183,09e. Renewed April 15, 1921. Serial No. 461,678.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, BURTON S. AIRMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pumpmg Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to pumping systems and more particularly to faucet controlled systems.

Faucet controlled systems as are understood by those slrilled in the art supply water directly from the source, that is the Well, spring or the like, to the consumption system which may be the pipe and faucets in a residence or the like. The pump is. generally submerged in the water of the source. Compressed air is supplied to the pump for operating it. The baclr pressure of the water in the system when the faucets or other outlets are closed stalls the pump and at the same time stalls the valves so that the pump ceases to operate until the pressure in the system is reduced by opening a tancet or other outlet. Vlhen the back pressure is thus reduced the pump is started and operated, Within limits, at a speed proportional to the demand for water. Thus, the water is always supplied in a fresh condition directly from the well.

One of the disadvantages and difiiculties of the prior art devices has been caused by the disposal of the controlling valves on the body of the pump cylinders and their consequent location in the bottom of the well where they are exposed to the action of the Water and where they are out of the range,

of inspection and repair.

In a number of copending applicationsll have shown single cylinder pumps with controlling valves at the head of the well. In the present invention 1 disclose a double cylinder pump ,'With controlling valves at the head of the well. This valve is influenced by both cylinders in proper sequence to maintain an even flow of water at the faucets.

The inability of the prior art to dispose the valves at the head of the well has been due to a lack of suitable or sufficiently powerful means to secure operation of the valves in synchronism with the operation of the worbng cylinders.

My invention provides a valve mechanismoperated in a positive manner by the force of the compressed air which also operates the pump. This valve mechanism is located all; the head of the well or at any convenient p ace.

T provide for each pump cylinder an auxihary or measuring tank for air which is alternately connected with the source of is a diagrammatic showing with a part of the valve mechanism in section of a system embodying my invention.

The pump l 'is adapted to be submerged in the water at the bottom of the well or in a spring, river or other suitable source or supply of water to be pumped. A suitable main air tank or reservoir 2 provides the working medium for operating the pump 1. Auxiliary or measuring tanks 3 and 4': are adapted to receive charges of air from the main tank 2 and these charges of air are adapted to operate upon the corresponding cylinders of the pump 1.

The mechanism :tor bringing about this change in the flow and application of the compressed air is the valve mechanism 5.

Air is taken from the tank 2 to the valve 5 and is charged in proper order into the measuring or auxiliary tanks 3 and 4. The definite charge of air in one of the tanks is then applied to a definite quantity of water in one of the c linders to move this quantity of water an do a predetermined amount of work. The pump cylinder is then disconnected and exhausted so that it is filled again with a. predetermined amount of water. At the same time the auxiliary or measuring tank is recharged and the operation is repeated.

The pump 1 comprises two similar cylinders '6 and 7 which are operated upon alterna'tely so that a steady flow of water may be maintained at the iaucet. The cylinder ice are joined together by the common discharge pi e 14.

The valve 5 comprises a suitable framework bearing the cylinders 16 and 17 which are arranged substantially axially in line and a central cylinder 18 which contains a central hollow space 19 terminating in the cylinders 21 .and 22 having pistons 23 and 24 connected together by a stem 25. The stem 25 is connected to a double D valve member 26. The valve member 26 coiiperates with ports 27, 28, which lead by Way of the pipes 29 and 30 to the cylinders 6 and 7. The valve member also controls the ports 31 and 32 which lead to the auxiliary reservoirs 3 and 4 respectively by way of the pipes 33 and 34. An exhaust port 35 is also provided for exhausting the air from the cylinders 6 and 7 after it has performed the work of driving out the charge of water from the cylinders.

The pistons 23 and 24 fit closely in. the cylinders21 and 22 and are provided with packing rings or other means for preventing leakage past the same. Small holes are drilled through the pistons 23 and 24 as shown in dotted lines at 37 and 38 to per- .mit of a definite leakage from the central space 19 to the outside of the pistons 23 and 24. The heads of the cylinders 21 and 22 are provided with valve ports and passages 39 and 40 respectively. These ports are adapted to be closed by conical, valve members 41 and 42 that are mounted upon small controlling pistons 43 and 44guided in cylinders 45 and 46 formed axially with the'cylinders 21 and 22. These small guiding cylinders 45 and 46 have lateral ports 47 and 48 through their side walls serving as exhaust or escape passages-for the air which leaks through the pinholes 37 in the pistons 2324 when this air is permitted to escape through the passages 39 and 40.

The cylinders 16 and 17 are'pressure controlled cylinders connected respectively to the pi es 33 and 34 by means of the pipes 49 an 50. The cylinders 16 and 17 are similar in. all respects. As shown at the right of the figure the cylinder 16 comprises a flexible diaphragm 51 secured to a spring pressed plungpr 52 having a plunger rod 53 engaging t e guiding piston 45. A suitded with similar cylinder-6 with this exhaust passage.

able spring 54 is mounted between the piston head 52 and the cage 55. The strength of the spring 54 is so adjusted that when the pressure of the air in the cylinder rises to the proper working pressure for operating the pump, the spring will be overcome and which it had been connected is being filled' with air from the main tank l-by way of the pipe 56, open central space 19, port 31 and pipe 33. As soon as the pressure in the tank 3 has risen to the proper value, the piston in the cylinder 17 is operated to push the guiding piston 44 inward inv the-cylinder 46 closlng off the escape passage 48 and the exhaust valve passage, 40. The air escaping through the pinhole 38 then builds up a pressure back of the piston 24, tending ofimove the double piston structure to the As the auxiliary tank 4 is discharging air into the pump cylinder 6 at this time the pressure is falling and very soon a'pressure is reached which will no longer overcome the spring 54. The spring 54 then begins to move the diaphragm 51 and piston 52 inwardly. This relieves the pressure of the exhaust valve 41 against the port 39. As soon as the exhaust valve 41 be 'ns to 0 en the air between the piston 23 an the hea of cylinder 21 rushes out and acts upon the guiding piston. 43. As the area of this pistonis much greater than the area of the valve 41 and as the piston 43 closes the escape passage 47 the piston 43 is forced outwardly until the escape passage 47 is uncovered. This exhausts the air in the cylinder 21 and as a consequence the double piston structure moves partly to the left. A boss .57 on the head of the piston 23 engages the head of the cylinder 21 and closes the exhaust passage 39.

It can be seen'that the double piston structure forms an air motor for operating the valve member. The guiding pistons 4344 and connected parts comprise a snap or quick action mechanism for insuring a full and quick throw of the valve member.

As. the double piston structure is moved to the left the valve member 26 is shifted disconnecting the pump cylinder 7 from the exhaust passage 35 and connecting the P1111116) t the same time the-pump cylinder. 7 is connected by the port 31 to the .measuring or auxiliary tank 3. The port 32 is uncovered and compressed air flows from the tank 2 aaeaoea through the ort 32 into the measuring or auxiliary tafi. As the air in the tank 3 expands in forcing out the charge of water from the cylinder 7, the pressure 1n this tank and cylinder drops to such a low value that the spring 53 for the cylinder 17 pushes the piston 52 outward permitting the guiding cylinder 44 and valve member 42 the right uncovering the valve passage 40 and escape passage 48. This dissipates any accumulated pressure between the piston 24 and the adjacent cylinder head.

As the pressure in the tank 4 rises due to receiving a charge of air from the main tank 2, a pressure will 'soon be reached which overcomes the spring 54 of the cylinder 16, forcing the piston 52 inward shutting ofi the escape passage 47 and the exhaust passage 39 and permitting pressure to quickly from one accumulate between the piston 23 and the corresponding cylinder head.

he operations are repeated. In case the faucets are closed off, the air in the correspondin auxiliary or measuring tank will be unab e to expand, consequently the guiding pistons 43 or 44 will be unable to open the corresponding exhaust passages and escape passages and the system w1ll come to a standstill. As soon as the faucets are opened the pump again begins to work.

It is apparent that the valve may be provided with a snap action to cause it to move extreme to the other.

I claim:

1. In combination a pump having a plurality of cylinders, a.main air tank, an auxiliary or measuring tank for each cylinder, a valve member, means operated by air from the main tank for shifting the valve member toogm" :1 te the pump cylinders in a predetermined order, and pressure controlled means for each auxiliary-tank for controlling the valve shifting means.

2. In combination, a pump having a plurality of cylinders, a main air tank, an auxiliary tank for each cylinder, a common valve member, and means subject to the pressure of the air in the auxiliary tanks for controlling the valve member to admit air to said tanks alternately and to connect said pump cylinders alternately to said auxiliary tanks and to the exhaust.

3. In combination, a main tank, a pump having a pair of cylinders, a common discharge pipe for said cylinders, an auxiliary air tank for each cylinder, a pressure controlled element connecting each tank, an air governing valve controlled by the pressure controlled element to admit air to the auxiliary tanks, and to connect them to the pump cylinders alternately.

4. In combination, a pump cylinder, a main air tank, an auxiliary air tank, a governing valve governing the connection of the auxiliary tank to the main tank and to to move tothe pump cylinder, and an air motor operated in response to each stroke of the pump 0 linder by air from the main tank for s ifting said valve.

5 In combination, a pump cylinder, a main air tank, an auxiliary air tank, a governing valve governing the connection of the auxlllary tank to the main tank and to the pump cyllnder, motor means operated by air from the main tank for shifting said yalve and means governed by the pressure 1n the auxlliary tank for controlling said motor means.

6. In combination a main tank, an auxiliary air tank, a pump cylinder, a valve governlng the connection of the auxiliary tank to the main tank and to the pump cylinder, an an motor operated by air from the main tank for shifting said valve and means responslve to each stroke of the cylinder for controlling said air motor.

In combination a pair of pump cylinders, a main air tank, a pair of auxiliary air tanks, a governing air valve having an admlssion port for each auxiliary tank, a cylinder port for each pum c linder, and an exhaust port for the cy in er and a shiftable valve member governing said port, said valve member being operated in response to each stroke of a pump cylinder.

8. In combination a pair of pump cylinders, a main air tank, a pair of auxiliary tanks, a governing valve having an admiss1on port for each auxiliary tank, a cylinder port for each pump cylinder, an exhaust port for the cylinders, and a shiftable valve member governing said port, said valve member being operated in response to each stroke of the pump cylinders.

9. In combination, a pair of pump cylinders, a main air tank, a pair of auxiliary tanks, a governing valve having an admission port for each auxiliary tank, a cylinder port for each pump cylinder, and an exhaust port for the cylinders, and a shiftable valve member governing said port, and an air inotor operated by air from the main tank for shifting said valve in response to each stroke of the pump cylinders.

10. In combination, a pair of pump cylinders, a main air tank, a pair of auxiliary air tanks, a governing valve having. an admission port for each auxiliary tank, a cylinder port for each pump cylinder and an exhaust port for the cylinders, a shiftable valve member governing said port, an air motor operated by air from the main tank for shifting said valve and pressure controlled means responsive to the pressure of air in the auxiliary tank governing said air motor.

11. In combination, a pair of pump cylinders, a main air tank, a. pair of auxiliary tanks, a governing Valve having an admission port for each auxiliary tank, a cylinder port for each pump cylinder and an exhaust port for the pump cylinders, a shiftable valve member governing said port, an air motoroperated by air from the main tank for shifting said valve and means responsive to each stroke of the cylinders governing said air motor.

12. In combination, a source of compressed air, a pair of auxiliary tanks, 2.

ump having a pair of cylinders, a valve seat, slidablev valve means cooperating with said seat, said seat containing an exhaust port, a pair of admission orts to the auxiliary tank and a pair of cy inder ports to the pump cylinders, a valve cylinder, a double piston having leakage means for permitting air pressure to accumulate outside of the piston, means for admitting compressed air to the valve cylinder, and pressure controlled means subject to the pressure in the auxiliary tank for controlling the accumulation of pressure on the outside of sa1d piston.

13. In combination, a source of compressed air, a pair of auxiliary tanks, a pump having a pair of cylinders, a valve c linder, a valve seat in said cyllnder, slida le valve means cooperating with sa1d seat, sa1d seat containing an exhaust port, a pair of admission ports to the auxiliary tanks and a pair of cylinder ports to the pump cylinders, a double piston in said cylinder havmg leakage means for permitting air pressure to accuinulate outside the iston, means for admitting compressed an to the valve cylinder and means responsive to each pump stroke controlling the accumulation of pres sure on the outside of said piston.

14. In combination, a source of compressed air, a pair of auxiliary tanks, a pump having a iair of cylinders, a valve cy linder having cy inder heads, valve orts in said cylinder head, a valve seat in sa1d valve cylinder, slidable valve means cooperating with said seat, said seat containing an exhaust port, a pair of admission ports to the auxiliary tanks and a pair of cylinder ports to the pump cylinders, a double piston having leakage means for ermitting air pressure to accumulate outsi e the pistons, means for admitting compressed air to the valve cylinder, valve means governing the valve ports in said cylinder head, and means responsive to each pump stroke for operating said last valve means.

15. In combination, a pump cylinder, a main air tank, an auxiliary air tank, a slide valve governing the connection of the auxiliary tank alternately to the main tank and to the pump cylinder and a double balanced piston air motor operated by air from the main tank for shifting said slide valve.

16. In combination, a main tank, a pump cylinder, an auxiliary tank, an air motor operated by pressure from the main tank, valve mechanism governed by the air motor for alternately connecting the auxiliary tank to the main tank and to the pump cylinder, a pressure element communicating with the auxiliary tank and a controlling valve for said air motor governed by said pressure element.

17. In combination, a pump cylinder, 9. main tank, an auxiliary tank, a valve governing the connection of the auxiliary tank alternate] with the main tank and with the pump cylinder, a pressure motor for operatmg said valve, and a pressure responsive element responsive to the pressure in the auxiliary tank governing the operation of the motor.

18. In combination, a pump cylinder, a closed distributing system having manually controllable delivery outlets, a main air tank, an auxiliary air tank, a governing valve governing the connection of the auxiliary tank to the main tank and to the pump cylinder, an air motorv operated by air from the main tank for shifting said valve, and means responsive to pressure in the auxiliary tank for starting the motor when the outlets are opened and for stopping the motor when the outlets are closed.

19. In combination, a pump cylinder, a main air tank, an auxiliary air tank, a main valve governing the connection of the auxiliary tank alternately to the main tank and to the pump cylinder, and a double balanced piston air motor operated by air from the main tank for shifting said main valve, and means responsive to each stroke of the pump cylinder for controlling the strokes of the motor.

20. In a pump, a pair of cylinders, a main source of motive fluid, a pair of measuring tanks serving as auxiliary sources of motive fluid, a main valve controlling the alternate connection of the tanks to the main source for charging, and to the cylinders for making alternate strokes of the cylinders, a motor for shifting the main valve, and

means responsive to strokes of the cylinders controlling the effective application of pressure to the motor to cause the same to shift the main valve. I

21. In a pump, a source of motivefluid, a measuring tank, a pump chamber, a main valve controlling the connection of the pumping chamber, alternately to the measuring tank and to exhaust, a valve operating motor, and a pressure operated member subj ect to the pressure of the motive fluid in thepumping chamber governing the individual strokes of the motor.

22. In, combination, a pump cylinder, a main air tank, an auxiliary air tank, a governing valve governing the connection of the auxiliary tank to the main tank and to the ump cylinder, a balanced pressure motor For shifting said main valve, and means responsive to the pressure in the auxiliary tank for unbalancing the motor.

23. In combination, a pump chamber, a source of motive fiuid, a main valve controlling the application and exhaust of motive fluid to and from the pumping chamber, means intermediate the pumping chamber and the source of motive fluid for limiting the motive fluid applied to thepumping chamber for each stroke, a valve operating motor, and a pressure operated member subject to the pressure of the motive fluid in the pumping chamber governing the individual strokes of the motor.

24. In combination, a ump chamber, a source of motive fluid, a aucet control delivery system connected to the pumping chamber, a main valve controlling the application and exhaust of motive fluid to and from the pumping chamber, a valve operating motor, a. pressure operated member subject to the pressure of the motive fluid in the pumping chamber governing the individual strokes of the valve operating motor, the operation of the motor being stopped when the faucets are closed.

25. In a ump, a source of motive fluid, a

pumpin c amber, a main valve controlling the app ication and exhaust of motive fluid to and from thepumping chamber, a valve operating motor and p a pressure operated member subject to the pressure of the motive fluid in the pumping chamber governing the individual strokes of the motor,thepressure in the pumping chamber being reduced upon the discharge of water therefrom, said member being subject to such reduction of pressure to cause the main valve to be shifted to the exhaustposition.

'26. In combination, a pumping chamber, a source of motive fluid at a predetermined pressure, a main valve, a motor and a pressure controlled member subject to the pressure in the pumping chamber, and means for applying a predetermined quantity of motive fiuidat said predetermlned pressure to the pumping chamber and permitting it to expand as the Water is driven out of the pumping chamber, said pressure controlled member operating when the pressure in the pumping chamber has dropped to a predetermined minimum to cause the motor to shift the main valve to connect the pumping chamber to exhaust.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 20th day of July A. D. 1917. 

